Three Golden Bears named to U.S. Beach Collegiate National Team

The California Golden Bears beach volleyball team got a huge boost of national recognition this week when three players were named to the 2020 United State Beach Collegiate National Team. Announced by USA Volleyball, incoming freshman Brooke Buchner, graduate Iya Lindahl and senior Mima Mirkovic were selected to represent the US out of 29 players selected across the country.

Cal tied for fourth-most representatives from one school, tying with UCLA.

Lindahl and Mirkovic were the top pair for Cal this past season, combining to go 9-1 before the season was shut down early due to the coronavirus pandemic. They famously gave Cal the victory over then No. 5 nationally ranked USC in the last matchup before everything was shut down.

Lindahl graduated with a career 65 wins, the second-most in Cal school history.

Mirkovic is a rising senior with 48 career wins and the highest career winning percentage and most wins among any active player. She was an honorable mention for the All-American team in 2019 and was First-Team All-Pac-12 in 2018, 2019.

Buchner is the newbie to the Cal lineup, joining the team this fall. She placed third at the BVCA 18U National Championship and was the only member of the 2020 class with a top-three finish at the USAV HP U19 Championships two years ago.

She hails from The Bishop’s School in La Jolla and was a captain of her team during her final seasons.

Buchner is as talented as they come and her selection on the national team speaks to that.

Congratulations!